Christmas spirit alive and well in New Plymouth, says NPDC

Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Christmas spirit shone through for a New Plymouth couple when volunteers came forward to help them with the annual Little Rocket Light Up Your Home Christmas Light Trail which runs alongside NPDC’s TSB Festival of Lights.

Mandy and Gary Parker, of Shelter Grove, Frankleigh Park, have been a part of the trail for three years but days before the switch on Mr Parker shattered a bone in his knee leaving him unable to finish lighting up their home for the 8-31 December event.

Mrs Parker reached out via Facebook to friends asking for volunteers to help finish the light project.

“We had an overwhelming response with so many messages of support, especially from those who couldn’t be there to physically help with the lighting project,” says Mrs Parker. “Twelve friends came over to the house on Sunday to put up the lights while Gary watched on his crutches pointing at where things needed to go. One friend even mowed our lawns!”

“It’s great to see the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Taranaki,” says NPDC spokesperson Jacqueline Baker.

In a first this year, entries were also received for a Light Up Your Letterbox portion of the competition for those who wanted to get involved on a smaller scale. It allows homeowners to join in without having to spend big on lights.

A full list of the 22 Little Rocket Light Up Your Home Christmas Light Trail participants can be found on the TSB Festival of Lights website at festivaloflights.nz. You can vote for your favourite house now on the TSB Festival of Lights Facebook Page. Voting closes Monday 1 January with the winner announced on Tuesday 2 January.

Last season’s festival added nearly $4.7 million in value to Taranaki’s economy and brought in 8,000 visitors to New Plymouth.